JAMAICA: Hurricane

In August, first month of the Caribbean's
high-wind season, hurricanes usually trace out tracks north of Jamaica,
but last week's hurricane was a little south for August. It roared
straight toward Kingston. Warned by a storm tide and a hot, moist
atmosphere, Kingston (pop. 250,000) battened down; buses stopped
running, movies closed, people stayed home.

The edge of the whirling hurricane crossed Kingston at 9:45 p.m.; for
four roaring hours after that, it lashed the city's galvanized iron
roofs and clapboard frame houses. Breadfruit, coconuts and avocados
rained into the streets. In...